National winner is welcomed home

REQUESTS for personal appearances and invitations to open shops are pouring in for the latest addition to sport's celebrity A-list, Amberleigh House, winner of last Saturday's Martell Grand National at Aintree.

REQUESTS for personal appearances and invitations to open shops are pouring in for the latest addition to sport's celebrity A-list, Amberleigh House, winner of last Saturday's Martell Grand National at Aintree.

The Cholmondeley champion had a hero's return to trainer Ginger McCain's Bank House Farm stables after conquering the world's most famous steeplechase last Saturday.

And waiting with a special hug was McCain's daughter-in-law Sian, who has looked after the horse since he arrived in the yard four years ago.

'He is a star,' said Sian, whose husband Donald assists his father, Ginger. 'When he crossed the line I was hysterical. I have done everything for him since he came to the yard except ride him, so this was a very special moment.'

The couple, who live in Bulkeley and have two young daughters, Abbie and Ella, joined the rest of the family and Bank House Farm staff at a special party in the Bickerton Poacher on Saturday night.

Jonathan and Sally Chantler, who run the pub, hosted a Christmas party for the stable staff and promised if Amberleigh House won the National they would throw them a free celebration party.

Mrs Chantler said: 'The place was heaving. It was fantastic. I watched the race, but I don't remember much about it because I was hysterical.

'It was very special because the Mc-Cains and the stable lads all drink here.'

Sian wasn't born when Red Rum, Ginger McCain's famous charge won the National three times in the seventies, but now she is very much part of the legend.

'It still hasn't sunk in,' she said. I keep thinking, 'Blimey, we've just won the National!' Sunday was unbelievable. People came out of the woodwork to congratulate us, the phone never stopped ringing, and we were besieged by cameras. You could hardly get in the yard'

The star of the show, Amberleigh House, took it all in his stride. Explained Sian: 'The build-up to the National is different from other races because he needed to be fitter and has to be psychologically ready.

'He is difficult at home in as much as he is hard to wind-up. But once he gets to Aintree he is a tiger. He seems to know the place is special and is really bouncing.'

Amberleigh House will be on parade at Bangor-on-Dee's next meeting and at the Cheshire Hunt point-to-point. 'He is a bit of a poser, so he'll love that,' said Sian.

After that, Amber-leigh House will go out to the fields for some well-deserved rest and relaxation - and will be back in Liverpool to defend his crown next year.